Harlequins

A chaotic first half ended 17-17 as Cameron Winnett, James Botham and, most spectacularly, Theo Cabango scored tries for Cardiff, with Danny Care and Marcus Smith crossing for Quins.

The English champions' deeper resources eventually told as Alex Dombrandt and Joe Marchant touched down.

Dombrandt then scored a second before Andre Esterhuizen crashed over.

Quins parted company with head of rugby Paul Gustard in January, but went on to finish fourth last season and win the title for the first time since 2012.

"I am not taking over anything. It is about how we strengthen the culture," he told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"It is about getting on the boat and making sure I'm paddling in the same direction as everybody else."

Matson, who played internationally for New Zealand and Fiji, brings a range of coaching experience to the Twickenham Stoop.

Tries from Max Malins (two), Ben Earl and Luke Morahan put Bristol 28-0 up in as many minutes before Alex Dombrandt replied on the stroke of half-time.

Tyrone Green, James Chisholm and Louis Lynagh scores quickly cut the gap to 28-24 and Joe Marchant's late try sent the game into extra time at 31-31.

Green and Marchant tries either side of Malins' third sealed a remarkable win.

Quins will play Exeter in the final, with the defending champions seeing off Sale 40-30 in Saturday's second semi-final.

Elia ushered in an anxious final half-hour after he was sent off by referee Luke Pearce for a dangerous tackle on Dan Robson that tipped the Wasps scrum-half past the horizontal.

Until that point Quins had been in full control, reflected by a 20-8 lead built on two tries by Alex Dombrandt and one more from Marcus Smith, but which owed everything to Robshaw’s feverish work at the breakdown.

Elia’s dismissal shifted the balance instantly, however, and the contest became a question of whether Wasps could overhaul the deficit in the 27 minutes available.

The Fijian ran into controversy after he returned to Fiji at the start of the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Before Kunatani left for the shutdown, there was no firm indication that he would be exiting Harlequins following a two-season stay. However, it has now emerged that a February 29 appearance in the Gallagher Premiership in the win over Exeter Chiefs was his final outing for Paul Gustard’s side. 

Wasps raced into a 21-0 lead and their fourth try after 55 minutes gave them a 16-point advantage against the bottom team in Pool One.

James Haskell was sent off for Wasps after a late flurry of tries saw Quins trail 28-26 with 10 minutes left.

Then came James Chisholm's 80th-minute winner for Quins for their first victory in the competition this season.

One negative for Quins and England was an eye injury to full-back Mike Brown.

The 26-year-old two-test All Black put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the London club, completing a switch from Irish side Munster.

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston did not specify the length of contract, but said he was delighted to get the barnstorming midfielder on a "long-term contract".

"He is a high class, quality player who is comfortable at either 12 or 13. Alongside his obvious talent, he will help balance the squad further by being available for us all season, which is just as important, given our ambitions as a club.

The 20-year-old hooker, who has won three caps, has previously spent time in the development squad of Super Rugby side Crusaders.

"We have one or two injuries in the hooker position," Quins director of rugby John Kingston said.

"He came on to our radar when we trained with Samoa recently. I'm sure he will make a valuable impact."

Elia featured as a replacement in Samoa's matches against France and Georgia in November, and made his first start against Canada on last Saturday.

RNZ reports the Maori lead 26-3 at half time after scoring four tries to James Lowe, who got two, and one each to Shane Christie and Sean Wainui.

Ihaia West kicked the rest of the points.

The English club scored their only try just after half time.

The Maori All Blacks beat the USA 54-7 and lost to Munster 27-14 in their first two games.

Man of the match, the Maori number eight, Akira Ioane says after the loss to Munster they wanted to re-gather their feet and move forward and he believes they showed that in this game.

Alofa Alofa made his international debut for Samoa against Canada in November 2014

The 25-year-old, who can play at centre or on the wing, left French Top 14 side La Rochelle this summer.

Alofa began his career in rugby league with Sydney Roosters but switched to union in 2013 and has featured for West Harbour and New South Wales Waratahs.

"He is a dynamic and powerful player with the ability to break the line. His versatility is an added bonus," Quins director of rugby John Kingston said.